New Reviews by Title: K-O

Narrator Molly Secours' attitude is perfect for the Ferguson brothers' third tongue-in-cheek comedic whodunit. TV star Miranda Abbott and her not-so-ex-husband, Edgar, are co-owners of the Happy Rock bookstore, I Only Read Murders. They're hosting the First Annual Happy Rock Mystery Writers Festival for some of the rockstars of the mystery writing world. Secours smoothly... Read More

Author/narrator Sophie Lucido Johnson brings a conversational tone to her discussion of the importance of close relationships beyond family. Her direct and personal tone, steady pacing, and approachable rhythm guide listeners through reported stories, research, and lived experience. Her easy-sounding narration suits the audiobook's blend of analyses and anecdotes as she shifts... Read More

Author Daniel Nayeri voices his story of a grandmother who is guiding her grandchild through the steps of weaving a traditional Persian rug. The eager child tells the story with an eye toward creating the perfect rug, but Grandma encourages her young assistant to recognize that perfection is not the goal. Instead, the rug needs to be right for its purpose. Young listeners... Read More

Moira Quirk charms in this first adult romance from YA author Lee. Harriet Lockhart, an actor in a Sapphic theater company, discovers that she and her brother are the illegitimate sons of the prince regent. He offers them inheritances, but Harry's is contingent upon her marrying an acceptable husband. Emily Sergeant is also in London looking for a husband so that she won't have... Read More

David Sadzin accomplishes something notable with his narration: He conveys the intricate details with clarity and precision. Acclaimed novelist Wideman's essays, book reviews, and cultural critiques are collected here. Passages about his experiences as a Black child learning the unwritten rules of white culture share space with reviews and critiques of writing and cultural and... Read More

Amber McBride's narration of her novel paints a picture of careful, rule-abiding 17-year-old Gospel, a Keeper who lives in the Leaving Room. She's responsible for helping young souls transition between life and death. McBride's precise delivery echoes her stunning images of evocative memories and settings. Gradually, McBride's narration is colored with questioning as Gospel... Read More

Listeners are in for a treat as this audiobook recounts the exploits of the legendary Saint Valentine; his blind lover, Agatha; and a cast of characters voiced by 20 narrators. Standout performances from Ryan Haugen as Valentine and Wayne LeGette as Emperor Gallienus anchor the ensemble with clear character distinctions and expressive deliveries that guide listeners through the... Read More

When principal Harold Medburn is found dead at the school Halloween party, no one seems terribly sorry. Medburn delighted in keeping his teachers under his thumb with meanness and blackmail. This is the first in an older Cleeves series featuring Inspector Stephen Ramsay and previously only available on audio in the UK. Narrator Simon Mattacks is terrific at setting the local... Read More

Marking the 100th anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy's birth, author and narrator Chris Matthews makes the case for ways that RFK's ideals are relevant to today's sociopolitical climate. Matthews touches on broad topics like peace, law enforcement, and courage, and Matthews's readings of Kennedy's actual speeches are included. Well known for his expertise on the Kennedy family,... Read More

Caroline Hewitt utilizes her fluency in English and French to great effect in narrating this tale of a magical library that provides its users with the book they need most. When one of the library's books goes missing, Eleanor and Daniel, two former classmates, team up to find it. As their search takes them from Boston to Paris, each character has a distinguishable voice,... Read More

Narrator Mark Elstob embodies the idiosyncrasies of George McGlory, a widower of a certain age in Bedford, England. Visiting his wife's grave, George notices a lonely "council funeral" attended by no mourners. Inspired, George works with a local florist along with a reporter, undertaker, council member, and fellow librarian to shine a light on the forgotten deceased. Elstob... Read More

Isabelle Turner narrates this delightful and hilarious workplace romance. Scout Porter is the head engineer at BuzzCorp, a sex toy startup; she just happens to be a virgin and has sworn off love for good after a disastrous relationship. Scout is determined to stay focused on her team's upcoming launch. To do this, she'll enlist the help of charming Hudson Bailey, the nerdy... Read More

Helen Laser tells the story of protagonist Catharine West with emotional restraint through her tempo and pacing. West's mysterious past on a commune in central Florida run by her unstable dad unspools in alternating chapters entitled "Then" and "Now." West's pathological father created and ran a utopian farm community--a misbegotten cult--that he controlled totally and... Read More

Peter Noble coolly performs this twisty crime novel. Using a narrative tone that is distant and objective, he still manages to inhabit each character, providing credible male and female voices while instilling each with appropriate emotion. In this story filled with betrayals, secrets, and stunning surprises, he handles the Scandinavian pronunciations with ease. The... Read More

Pun Bandhu narrates most of this unique cyberpunk reimagining of "The Great Gatsby." The year is 2075, and Nick Carraway is an expert cyberspace diver. His new contract brings him to New York, where he meets up with his cousin, Daisy; her abrasive husband, Tom; and Daisy's friend, Jordan. Nick poses as Jay Gatsby's newest Gen Wealth employee so he can investigate the... Read More

The snowy Pyrenees provide a stark setting for this spare audiobook. Following a confrontation, Miquel's mother goes missing. The novella examines the effects of this life-altering event, as well as the family's complex bonds. Gerard Doyle's performance is direct, clear, and well suited to the simplicity of Tóibín's prose. Sometimes his pace falters, especially in the... Read More

Author Vieta chronicles her efforts to return stolen antiquities to Italy. Lisa Flanagan helps create an atmosphere worthy of a mystery novel with a narration that carries the story along nicely for listeners, adding to the drama by varying her tone and conveying surprise, outrage, or suspense. The author is a journalist, and her writing style adapts well to audio. She uses... Read More

British actor Lucy Rayner narrates Shapiro's novel with reverence for the subject and empathy for protagonist Tamara, a young woman thrust into an international scandal involving the Nazi theft of douard Manet's painting "The Luncheon Party." The action switches between the present and the lush world of the 19th-century French art world, featuring luminaries such as Manet,... Read More

In a somber performance, Sue Jean Kim delivers this collection of 10 dystopian short stories that explore climate disaster in the near future. Her quiet delivery captures a deep human longing for connection, love, and meaning. Standout stories include "Biodome," in which New Seoul is enclosed under a protective dome to shield residents from toxic air pollution, and "Older... Read More

Kevin R. Free's strong narrative voice draws listeners into this absorbing tale of magic and intrigue. Lewis Dixon, a struggling American painter, faces a life-changing crossroads in the aftermath of his mother's death. He's offered a deal by the British Museum: In exchange for locating and destroying his great-grandfather's malevolent paintings, the museum's team of... Read More

Susan Bennett offers a chilling, melancholy performance as a 1950s mother and homemaker whose life unravels. Lulu desperately wants to conform to the dedicated lifestyles of the other wives in order to be a perfect wife, mother, and hostess. But as Lulu's daily repetitive schedule becomes oppressive, she slips away from reality. Bennett depicts Lulu's gradual transformation... Read More

Nikki Massoud's strong performance complements this audiobook, which is inspired by the legend of the Golem of Prague. When Malka's mother is falsely accused of murder, Malka embarks on a quest to save her from execution by retrieving the Rayga, a malevolent, bloodthirsty forest creature who preys on Jewish women. In the deadly forest she encounters Nimrah, a golem who is duty... Read More

Al Kessel delivers an efficient narration of Todd James Pierce's deep dive into the music of 1964's highest grossing movie, "Mary Poppins," featuring Julie Andrews as the musical English nanny and Dick Van Dyke as the charming chimney sweep. Pierce profiles the two obscure songwriters, brothers Richard and Robert Sherman, who wrote nearly all the music and lyrics at Walt's... Read More

Two men from the basketball pantheon team up to deliver these biographical portraits that are less a ranking and more a snapshot of their game. Smith, a longtime sportswriter, and Jackson, the venerable coach and "Zen master," work in tandem narrating their writing. Nayib Felix sets the tone with the introductory part of each player's bio, then Smith and Jackson each weigh in... Read More

Narrators Aaron Shedlock and Samantha Summers unfold this story of a romance between alpha werewolf and innkeeper Hunter Barrett and omega werewolf and contractor Tess Covington. Tess has come to Colorado to renovate Hunter's inn. Hunter had his heart broken by an omega, so he is wary of Tess. Shedlock handles all the male voices as well the narration from Hunter's point of... Read More

Chef Paul Delamare is back for a second helping of mystery in this action-packed adventure. Narrator Sebastian Humphreys brings sparkle to his portrayal of the perpetually down-on-his-luck chef whose house has just been flooded when he receives an invitation from an old friend. After joining Parisian socialite Xéra on her honeymoon cruise across the Atlantic in a superyacht,... Read More

In a warm, gentle tone, Saskia Maarleveld narrates this debut story about magic and family. Thirteen-year-old Lavender has been experiencing memory problems; she must find a solution before her father removes her as his apothecary apprentice. What's especially bothering Lavender is her inability to remember her beloved mother, who passed away. Against the wishes of her father... Read More

Together, six narrators create a captivating audiobook production, instilling humanity into a story where listeners might believe there is none left. Silber's novel, focusing on a cast of characters whose lives were all touched by one man's overdose in 1970s New York City, paints a sweeping picture of the social and political circumstances that influenced his drug use. From the... Read More

This festive audiobook reminds listeners that Christmas can be a time of peace and joy--or a time of distraction and family strife. Caroline Hewitt portrays Merry, a 55-year-old woman who is navigating a tumultuous Christmas season when she learns she has a nodule on her lung. As Merry searches for her Christmas spirit--both figuratively and literally--listeners will find... Read More

Aysha Kala crafts a delicate performance surrounding a surprisingly complex story about a carousel. The carousel, originally built in 1900s Paris, is shrouded in a mystery and linked to a history of missing children. Kala narrates as Maisie, an immigrant just arriving in Chicago in 1920, uncovers the dark secret of said carousel alongside Det. Laurent. Kala's elegant narration... Read More

A detective story set primarily in Incheon, South Korea, finds a vampire preying upon a rehab hospital as an angel of death. Originally written in Korean, this novel, superbly narrated by Rosa Escoda, reflects themes of loneliness relating to old age, addiction, and solitude. A string of apparent suicides at the hospital catches the attention of Suyeon, a young detective. She... Read More

The best ghost stories are meant to be read aloud. Here, the author and eight top-flight voice talents deliver the tense, devastating, chilling, and often brutal tones expressed in these 21 contemporary horror tales. Soneela Nankani nonchalantly tells of beaten corpses in "Ffuns." The terror in Lynette Freeman's voice when an old boyfriend keeps reappearing in "He Used to Scare... Read More

Seven talented narrators deliver Shusterman's compelling science fiction stories, which include two new ones from the popular "Arc of the Scythe" series. The works provide introductions to new worlds and are loosely grouped into two categories: strange and terrifying beings and personal transformations. Shusterman; his son, Brendan; and the other narrators alternate, portraying... Read More

Cassandra Campbell and Michael Crouch shine with their perfectly paced narrations of this engaging listen, inspired by a true story. Crouch portrays Harry Widener, a young bookseller who died on the Titanic. Historical lore suggests that he lost his life trying to save a priceless work. Decades later, Violet Hutchins, a student at Harvard, voiced by Campbell, finds herself... Read More

Narrator Sunny Lu creates a passionate voice for seventh grader Luna in this coming-of-age realistic fiction. Luna leaves her introverted life behind when she becomes a bibliotherapist for her fellow classmates, recommending books to help them in times of need and eventually writing her own zines with the assistance of her best friend, Scott. Lu perfectly captures Luna's... Read More

Tim Campbell's sonorous voice is a splendid match for Wellerstein's account of the decision to drop the atomic bombs on Japan in 1945. Wellerstein, a scholar of the history of nuclear weapons and the creator of the website NUKEMAP, delves deep into American nuclear policy. His conclusion is that President Harry S. Truman was almost entirely out of the decision loop. After the... Read More

Sir Derek Jacobi and Joe Jameson's stellar performances add sparkle and verisimilitude to this delightful locked-room mystery. The first adult book by Montgomery, an award-winning children's book author, is set in a Cornish manor house during the 1910 passing of Halley's Comet. Jacobi sets the semiserious tone with resonant action updates and intense performances of yesteryear... Read More

In this mystery set in 1940s Osaka, Japan, listeners follow the once-prominent Omari family as their business declines during WWII. Their struggles are compounded when a series of family members are murdered, which baffles the local police. David Shih's skilled narration creates the perfect atmosphere for this tale, which combines evocative insight into the period with a... Read More

Lucy Walker-Evans impeccably presents this look at 1810 Oxford. Cascabel Gray poses as her brother in order to study medicine under kindly Scottish surgeon Knox. But when a blackmailer is murdered, Cascabel finds herself a suspect and joins the dangerous Oxford Rogues Club to investigate and save herself. In the midst of all this, Cascabel also meets and falls in love with deaf... Read More

Listeners will appreciate the family dynamics and the festive descriptions of Europe during the holidays in this audiobook, narrated by Dominique Salvacion and Daniel Henning. Audrey and Ian haven't spoken in years, not since Audrey divorced her husband, Beau, only to watch Ian then marry Beau. When Audrey's daughter, who is also Ian's stepdaughter, plans a Christmas wedding in... Read More

Narrator Shayna Small is excellent as she portrays Leena, a 16-year-old girl who is being raised by her single mother, Asiyah. Leena has always dreamed of being part of a big family, but so far her family is just two people. When an unexpected phone call reveals that she has a Muslim grandfather and great-aunt, Leena is forced to rethink everything about her identity and... Read More

Ari Fliakos' skillful narration reflects the tone of this audiobook: serious, intentional, and thought provoking. The national discourse about who best represents the current voting electorate typically oversimplies the geography, looking at it as "red states" and "blue states." But Woodard's research reveals a different kind of cultural history and understanding of what it... Read More

In this sweeping overview of recent research, an environmental neuroscientist explains how humans are wired to benefit from exposure to nature--or even to artificial elements that resemble it. Beyond boosting mood and happiness, spending peaceful moments outdoors, studies show, enhances physical health, emotional resilience, mental performance, and the quality of our attention.... Read More

More than 35 hours long, this comprehensive biography of Random House founder Bennett Cerf is equal to a workweek for many listeners. Cerf nurtured a roster of the 20th century's most consequential authors and was nationally known as a television panelist. His story is a fascinating panorama of American arts and society over 50 years, scrupulously researched but overburdened... Read More

Narrator Georgina Sadler brings nuance to this contemporary romance between a successful American debut novelist and a British actor on the verge of superstardom. On a flight after a wild night out, Sage awkwardly flirts with Theo, who is sitting across the aisle. After attending a party together, Theo ghosts her. But when Sage travels to a small Scottish village to work on her... Read More

Independent journalist Josiah Hesse takes on the religious right in this harrowing memoir of growing up in 1980s-90s Mason City, Iowa. As corporate farming caused the collapse of family farms and evangelical churches were succumbing to what he describes as the destructive corruption of the prosperity gospel, his family disintegrated into a vicious cycle of poverty, shame,... Read More

Gunnar Cauthery does a solid job narrating this memoir by Stoltenberg, former NATO Secretary General and Prime Minister of Norway. Like so many political memoirs, this one is filled with places, events, big-name personas, and self-justification. It seems that Stoltenberg inhabits something of a bubble, though. Cauthery's pacing, pronunciation, and expression are precise and... Read More

This audiobook blends manifesto, memoir, and myth. It alternates between first-person reflections from English author Winterson and performances of the stories of One Thousand and One Nights in English Iranian narrator Dana Haqjoo's deep, rich voice. They are linked by the conceit that clever bride Shahrazad spins each tale to her royal husband, who promised to kill her when... Read More

Caroline Ford immerses listeners in a journey through grief and self-examination in Buckley's latest novel. Mourning the passing of her father, Teresa returns to the small Greek village she visited when her mother died nine years earlier. Ford's British accent is smooth and consistent as she weaves the past and the present with journal entries in this stream-of-consciousness... Read More

Kerry Hutchinson's quick delivery and British accent ensure that listeners will enjoy Royal Marine Farthing's true and inspirational story about saving stray dogs while serving in Afghanistan. When Hutchinson recounts the author's experiences and concern for the dogs of Now Zad, it's both heartrending and hopeful. Memories of these dogs--how some were saved and loved, and some... Read More

Scott Dikkers, former editor and owner of "The Onion," narrates his history of the beloved humor magazine. Fans will enjoy the classic headlines and backstory. With its anecdotes of childhood secrets (the time he crawled to school); family mental illness; employment experiences, including the jobs he didn't get; complex medical conditions; and the years spent away from the... Read More

Jennifer Jill Araya's bright tone and dynamic pacing pair well with Vincent's accessible prose to engage listeners. The audiobook is not quite as dramatic as its title implies, serving instead as an introduction to the art form that highlights occasional industry controversies. However, Vincent does make a strong case for opera as a living genre, arguing that newcomers should... Read More

The rich Midwestern soil once only gave life; now it brings death. All-Star narrators Scott Brick and George Newbern bring compassion and rage in dual timelines featuring Jake, a sick, drug-addicted, and suicidal farmer whose modern farming techniques in the Oklahoma panhandle are killing him. Brick passionately describes the horror and grief following the death of Jake's... Read More

Stephanie MacGaraidh brings out the grit in this disturbing novel about an amnesiac young woman that explores themes of identity, memory, and morality. Mary Lamb has no knowledge of who she is and finds herself at the mercy of one unsavory character after another. MacGaraidh shifts with ease between Mary's fragile perspective and that of an unnamed, observing narrator, whose... Read More

Woodson narrates her picture book with sure timing and emotional stresses that increase the story's poignancy. Woodson voices the confusion and innocence of viewpoint character Johnson. This contrasts with the prickly, defensive attitude of his older sister, Beebee. Eventually the children are taken to their Gracie Aunt, an unfamiliar relative. Woodson expresses Gracie's warmth... Read More

With a hint of an old-time Western twang, narrator Stephanie Cannon easily coaxes the listener into this sweeping, multilayered yarn that unabashedly mixes the worlds of graphic novels, high fantasy, time travel, frontier history, and the author's own "Pandominion" multiverse into an entertaining space-opera stew. When a young schoolmistress sees her best friend murdered and... Read More

With a bright, youthful tone, narrator Rachel Jacobs voices innocent 12-year-old Razzi. Razzi has lived her entire life in an old compound--or mansion--with her parents, brother, and a few other families. She and the other children have never been allowed to go outside because nearly all of mankind was eliminated after the "Great Poisoning." However, a traumatic medical episode... Read More

Eva Kaminsky flawlessly introduces this charming slow-burn love story and its relatable characters. Ingrid and her boyfriend of 11 years take a month off to date others before marrying. Bubbly Ingrid plans to date her grumpy longtime coworker Macon--both are impressively portrayed--but he resists her persistent overtures. Every challenging month of the year is cleverly... Read More